Dr. Morris Named Endowed Professor
October 26, 2023
Dr. Arden Morris
Dr. Arden Morris has been named the Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery and, by courtesy, of Health Policy. The professorship was previously held by Dr. Jeffrey Norton who retired in September.
“Dr. Arden Morris is an internationally renowned scholar on disparities and quality of care for rectal cancer treatment. She also serves in many key roles for our Department, including running the S-SPIRE center and as Vice Chair for Clinical Research,” said Department Chair Dr. Mary Hawn. “Dr. Morris is an outstanding mentor and was recently selected as one of the Stanford University’s Faculty Womens' Forum outstanding mentor award for 2023. These funds will further support her efforts to advance her research as well as that of her mentees.”
An addition to her clinical work as a professor, Morris is also Director of the Stanford Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education (S-SPIRE) Center. Information on her official investiture to follow.
Related Reading
– SurgeryStanford Surgery Celebrates the Career of Dr. Jeffrey Norton
Dr. Jeffrey Norton, the Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery emeritus was honored with a dinner and Festschrift.
– SurgeryDr. Morris to Serve on NIH Study Section
Dr. Arden Morris has been invited to serve on the Healthcare and Health Disparities (HHD) study section at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on March 9.
– SurgeryDr. Martinez, Wan Named J&J Professors
Drs. Olivia Martinez and Derrick Wan have been named Johnson and Johnson Distinguished Professors of Surgery.
Media Contact
Bio
About Stanford Surgery
The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:
• pioneering cutting-edge research,
• developing the next generation of leaders, and
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion.
To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu
The Latest
stanfordgensurg on InstagramDr. Wren Named Alum of the Year by Stritch School of Medicine
Congratulations to Dr. Sherry Wren, who has been named an Alum of the Year by Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Wren, who received her MD at Stritch in 1986, is being recognized for “Excellence in Community Service.” The award will be presented at the Stritch Reunion Weekend in October.
SurgeryA Smaller Incision Offers a New Approach to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Stanford surgeon Dr. Jean Bao introduces endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy, a minimally invasive approach that uses a smaller lateral incision while preserving the breast skin and nipple. The technique may improve surgical visualization, reduce tissue retraction, and support an easier recovery for appropriately selected patients undergoing cancer treatment or risk-reducing surgery.
SurgeryPostdoc Spotlight: Ken Neiser, PhD
Ken Nieser, an investigator with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Stanford's S-SPIRE Center, applies statistical models to health data to study and improve healthcare quality, focusing on colorectal cancer screening disparities among veterans by combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative research involving patient and provider interviews.
SurgeryImproving Cancer Immunotherapy with Dr. Alma Cepika
Dr. Alma Cepika explains how TR1 cells regulate immune responses and how tumors may exploit these cells to suppress antitumor immunity. Could targeting TR1 cells help improve cancer immunotherapy?
SurgeryHTTC: Dr. Derrick Wan, 72nd PSRC Chair
Dr. Derrick Wan has been elected the 72nd President of the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He shares his journey to the presidency and his goals for the society.
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryA Career of Compassion and Connection: Celebrating Elena Hopkins
Longtime nurse practitioner and program coordinator Elena Hopkins reflects on a career devoted to children with craniofacial conditions and their families.
Abdominal TransplantationMarc Melcher Receives 2026 John Levin Excellence in Leadership Award
Marc L. Melcher, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Abdominal Transplantation and professor of surgery at Stanford Medicine, has received the 2026 John Levin Excellence in Leadership Award from the Stanford Health Care Board of Directors.
SurgerySamantha Ratanavipupong wins Inaugural StanfordMed Spark Tank
Samantha Ratanavipupong won Stanford Medicine’s inaugural Spark Tank for a clinical operations dashboard that combines billing data to help leaders identify coding and productivity gaps and better support faculty in meeting wRVU targets. The competition invited staff across the School of Medicine to pitch practical, innovative ideas, with organizers planning to build on the event’s success in 2027. Our own Cyrus Press took third.
Stanford Cardiovascular InstituteWhen Blood Vessels Trigger Heart Failure: A New Mechanism Driving Inherited Cardiomyopathy
“For many years, LMNA cardiomyopathy has largely been viewed through the lens of the cardiomyocyte,” said Nazish Sayed, MD, PhD, senior author of the study. “Our findings suggest that the endothelium is not simply a bystander. Endothelial cells undergo profound reprogramming that can actively contribute to fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction.”
SurgeryPostdoc Spotlight: Bo Liu, DDS, PhD
Bo Liu, DDS, PhD, transitioned from dentistry to research, becoming a senior research scientist at Stanford Medicine where she leads innovative work in plastic and reconstructive surgery